Abstract
Tropical dry forests (TDFs) are highly endangered tropical ecosystems being replaced by a complex mosaic of patches of different successional stages, agricultural fields and pasturelands. In this context, it is urgent to understand how taxa playing critical ecosystem roles respond to habitat modification. Because Phyllostomid bats provide important ecosystem services (e.g. facilitate gene flow among plant populations and promote forest regeneration), in this study we aimed to identify potential patterns on their response to TDF transformation in sites representing four different successional stages (initial, early, intermediate and late) in three Neotropical regions: México, Venezuela and Brazil. We evaluated bat occurrence at the species, ensemble (abundance) and assemblage level (species richness and composition, guild composition). We also evaluated how bat occurrence was modulated by the marked seasonality of TDFs. In general, we found high seasonal and regional specificities in phyllostomid occurrence, driven by specificities at species and guild levels. For example, highest frugivore abundance occurred in the early stage of the moistest TDF, while highest nectarivore abundance occurred in the same stage of the driest TDF. The high regional specificity of phyllostomid responses could arise from: (1) the distinctive environmental conditions of each region, (2) the specific behavior and ecological requirements of the regional bat species, (3) the composition, structure and phenological patterns of plant assemblages in the different stages, and (4) the regional landscape composition and configuration. We conclude that, in tropical seasonal environments, it is imperative to perform long-term studies considering seasonal variations in environmental conditions and plant phenology, as well as the role of landscape attributes. This approach will allow us to identify potential patterns in bat responses to habitat modification, which constitute an invaluable tool for not only bat biodiversity conservation but also for the conservation of the key ecological processes they provide.
Highlights
In the Neotropics, the natural landscape has been increasingly modified by human activities such as cattle raising and agriculture [1,2,3]
In Venezuela most of the species were captured in both seasons, with the exception of 5 species exclusively captured during the dry season (DS) (Micronycteris hirsuta, Mimon bennettii, Mimon crenulatum, P. stenops, Tonatia saurophila) and 3 species exclusively captured during the rainy season (RS) (A. lituratus, M. microtis, Vampyrum spectrum)
Most of the species were captured in both seasons, excluding two species exclusively captured in the RS (Chiroderma villosum, Mimon bennetti) and one species captured in the DS (Sturnira lilium)
Summary
In the Neotropics, the natural landscape has been increasingly modified by human activities such as cattle raising and agriculture [1,2,3]. This has provoked the replacement of natural vegetation by a complex mosaic of patches representing different degrees of regeneration, agricultural fields and pasturelands [4,5]. Bats favor the maintenance of plant diversity as they promote outcrossing, facilitate gene flow among distant plant populations and make possible dispersion of plant species across landscapes, via pollen and seed translocation [8,11,12]. Insectivorous bats can significantly reduce forest herbivory levels as well [10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
